Three dead and a dozen missing as torrential rains cause flash flood in north India
India is likely to see above-average monsoon rains for the second straight year in 2025. - Photo: AFP
NEW DELHI: Three people died and at least a dozen are feared missing after being swept away in a flash flood triggered by torrential rains in the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, local authorities said on Thursday (June 26).
A rescue operation has been launched to trace the missing, said Dinesh Sharma, a local government spokesperson in Kangra.
The town is about 18 kilometres (11 miles) from Dharamshala, a popular tourist destination known for its Tibetan culture and as the home of Tibetan spiritual leader, Dalai Lama.
Sudhir Sharma, a lawmaker from Dharamshala, said in a social media post that at least 15 to 20 workers resting in a temporary shed near the site of a hydroelectricity power project were swept away after water levels at a local reservoir rose suddenly late Wednesday.
In a status report issued Thursday, the state government confirmed at least eight people were missing in Kangra and three in nearby Kullu.
The authorities have evacuated around 50 stranded tourists to safer places in the state.
The state government confirmed three people died, but did not provide details.
Flash floods and cloudbursts are common in India's mountain states such as Himachal Pradesh during the monsoon season.
Deforestation to make way for infrastructure development and expansion of hydel power projects has often led to calls by critics for environmental accountability and disaster preparedness in such states. - AP
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sinar Daily
32 minutes ago
- Sinar Daily
US hit by first extreme heat wave of the year
Meteorologists are describing the intensifying weather pattern as a heat dome, a high-pressure system that traps air and leads to steadily rising thermal readings. 27 Jun 2025 07:00pm People cool off in the shade along the Riverwalk as temperatures climbed into the mid-90s on June 23, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by SCOTT OLSON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP) NEW YORK - A potentially life-threatening heat wave enveloped the eastern third of the United States earlier this week impacting nearly 160 million people, with temperatures expected to climb to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) in the New York metropolitan area. The country's first significant scorching heat of the year arrived over the weekend and peaks Monday and Tuesday in Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City. Few people opted for the upper deck on a tour on the Chicago River as temperatures climbed into the mid-90s on June 23, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by SCOTT OLSON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP) "This extreme heat will not just be uncomfortable and oppressive for New Yorkers," warned Mayor Eric Adams, adding that each year heat claims the lives of 500 people in this city of eight million. "It's going to be brutal and dangerous if you do not treat it with the understanding that we want you to," he added. As sweltering heat enveloped the city, authorities urged seniors, people with health problems and those without air conditioning to stay hydrated and seek help at designated cooling centers such as libraries and recreation facilities. Heat records tumbled across parts of the US Northeast, including in Central Park, known as the lungs of Manhattan, where Monday's temperature of 96 degrees broke a record that had stood since 1888, according to the National Weather Service. "Extreme Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories across much of the eastern third of the country (are) affecting nearly 160 million people" across at least 29 states, the NWS reported. "This level of HeatRisk is known for being rare and/or long duration with little to no overnight relief, and affects anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration," the agency warned. Meteorologists are describing the intensifying weather pattern as a heat dome, a high-pressure system that traps air and leads to steadily rising thermal readings. For many in the Big Apple, avoiding work in the searing heat was not an option. "We have to endure it, because otherwise what are we going to survive on?" Manuel, a manual worker repairing a building facade in New York's Harlem neighborhood, told AFP. "Sometimes we stop because it's a danger. We don't all have the same energy, but you have to endure," he added. In the Washington Heights neighborhood, authorities opened several fire hydrants so residents could seek relief with the gushing water. One of the local heroes was Ronald Marcelin, a 44-year-old air conditioning technician sweating profusely as he repaired a pizzeria's AC unit. "I'm taking the heat so that everyone else can cool down," Marcelin said with a grin. Triple digits The soaring temperatures come just as New Yorkers head to the polls Tuesday for the Democratic primary that will decide the party's mayoral candidate. It promises to be a tight race between Andrew Cuomo, who is seeking political resurrection after resigning in disgrace as state governor in 2021, and rising left-wing star Zohran Mamdani. Over the weekend, Cuomo urged residents to cast their votes even if the temperatures hit 100 degrees Fahrenheit. In Washington, the heat index -- what the temperature feels like with humidity factored in -- was forecast to soar to as high as 110 F on Monday, and the mayor's office urged residents to take advantage of cooling centres. Scientists say extreme heat waves are a clear sign of global warming, and they are expected to become more frequent, longer, and more intense. Fueled by human-caused climate change, 2024 was the warmest year on record globally -- and 2025 is projected to rank among the top three. - AFP
The Star
10 hours ago
- The Star
5 killed, many missing as cloudbursts, flash floods hit India's Himachal Pradesh
NEW DELHI, June 26 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed and many others missing after cloudbursts and flash floods hit the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, officials said Thursday. The state experienced heavy monsoon rainfall in the past 24 hours that led to cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides, thus severely affecting normal life. Reports said several laborers residing in temporary sheds near the Indira Priyadarshini Hydro Power Project were swept away by floodwaters on Wednesday evening. Shortly after the accident, the local government sent rescuers to the scene.
The Star
12 hours ago
- The Star
Three dead and a dozen missing as torrential rains cause flash flood in north India
India is likely to see above-average monsoon rains for the second straight year in 2025. - Photo: AFP NEW DELHI: Three people died and at least a dozen are feared missing after being swept away in a flash flood triggered by torrential rains in the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, local authorities said on Thursday (June 26). A rescue operation has been launched to trace the missing, said Dinesh Sharma, a local government spokesperson in Kangra. The town is about 18 kilometres (11 miles) from Dharamshala, a popular tourist destination known for its Tibetan culture and as the home of Tibetan spiritual leader, Dalai Lama. Sudhir Sharma, a lawmaker from Dharamshala, said in a social media post that at least 15 to 20 workers resting in a temporary shed near the site of a hydroelectricity power project were swept away after water levels at a local reservoir rose suddenly late Wednesday. In a status report issued Thursday, the state government confirmed at least eight people were missing in Kangra and three in nearby Kullu. The authorities have evacuated around 50 stranded tourists to safer places in the state. The state government confirmed three people died, but did not provide details. Flash floods and cloudbursts are common in India's mountain states such as Himachal Pradesh during the monsoon season. Deforestation to make way for infrastructure development and expansion of hydel power projects has often led to calls by critics for environmental accountability and disaster preparedness in such states. - AP
